Sweet and Spicy Slow Cooker Meatballs

Sweet and spicy slow cooker meatballs will be a hit as an appetizer or as a main dish. They’re coated in a thick, spicy, and just sweet enough sauce that couldn’t be easier. Simple prep and minimal clean-up!

Meatballs in the slow-cooker aren’t an earth-shattering, revolutionary food. This we know. But these sweet and spicy slow cooker meatballs are a whole new ballgame…no grape jelly needed!

Of course, I do enjoy the the classic BBQ sauce/chili sauce and grape jelly combination that graces appetizer spreads all over, but I had a hankering for something a little different. Thankfully when it comes to slow cooker recipes, they tend to be forgiving when it comes to experimentation, so slow cooker meatballs v.2 was a go. Much better experimenting with savory food that just needs to heat rather than a finicky bread or cookie recipe, don’t you think?

Most of the time I don’t have a full jar of grape jelly hanging around, so for this off-the-cuff meatball recipe I wanted to use a combination of ingredients that tend to be pantry/fridge staples. A sweet and spicy sauce that’s at the ready + a monster bag of frozen meatballs in the freezer = a recipe for sweet and spicy slow cooker meatballs that can be thrown together whenever. And in my case, ‘whenever’ means once a week. 🙂

These sweet and spicy slow cooker meatballs are simple to prep and only require cleaning your slow cooker and measuring cups and spoons. All of the ingredients except the meatballs are added to your slow cooker and stirred until mixed. Then the frozen meatballs are added and stirred up so that they’re all coated with the sauce evenly. Set your slow cooker on low heat and come back in about four hours – you’re done!

I’m sure these meatballs would make excellent appetizers, but since (full disclosure) all of the times I’ve made a batch it’s only been the two of us here, we’ve been enjoying them as a main course. In these pictures I served them over couscous with extra sauce drizzled over top + a side salad, but there are a ton of options for serving. Rice, quinoa, directly from the slow cooker to your mouth…anything works.

One last note about the flavor. I used one tablespoon plus one teaspoon (the equivalent of four teaspoons) of hot sauce and I thought it added just enough heat. They’re definitely spicy, but they didn’t cross over into uncomfortable territory, thanks to the sweetness from the honey and molasses and tang from the apple cider vinegar. If you’re sensitive to spicy foods, I suggest added a teaspoon or two of hot sauce and then tasting to see if you’d like to add more. The reverse goes for those spice fanatics out there – add as much as you can handle, errr like!

If you’re like me and can’t get enough of your slow cooker, check out my Slow Cooker Recipes board on Pinterest and follow along!

Sweet and spicy slow cooker meatballs will be a hit as an appetizer or as a main dish. They’re coated in a thick, spicy, and just sweet enough sauce that couldn’t be easier. Simple prep and minimal clean-up!

Cover and cook on low heat for 3 1/2 - 4 hours, or until meatballs are hot throughout and the sauce is slightly bubbly.

Recipe Notes

Add the meatballs to the slow cooker right out of the freezer! Just make sure you purchase the fully-cooked but frozen variety.

The nutritional info is estimated, but will vary depending on the BBQ sauce and meatball variety that you use. It also includes all of the sauce ingredients, of which there will likely be extra in the slow cooker that isn't consumed.

Comments

Hi Mary, I’ve never doubled the recipe, but if your slow cooker permits I’d say a safe bet would be to double everything. Making everything at this quantity does yield some extra sauce, though I love drizzling it over the meatballs and whatever starch I’m serving this with. You could try doubling the meatballs and only increasing the other ingredients by 1.5x or so, so long as the meatballs are covered in the sauce for cooking. That’s really the only thing (making sure the meatballs are covered for cooking). I hope that helps!

There’s no possible way these wouldn’t be a hit for dinner or a party — I love that sweet and spicy thing! And the new look of your site looks great Alyssa! I especially love the photo of you and your dog. 🙂

I go long stretches without thinking of making them, but all of a sudden a craving will hit and I’ll want them all the time! I think I need to plan a get together just to have a legit excuse to make a big batch! haha

Hi! I'm Alyssa, a twenty-something podcast junkie with a penchant for baking, boots, and pretty little things. Also strong coffee and spunky dogs. There's a good chance I can be found in the kitchen, wearing sequins, and dreaming of DIY. ♥